I have always booked my flights through the airlines after checking Google Flights.
This time my Google search for a multicity flight indicated booking with Ovago. The fare and itinerary are attractive but I’m hesitant to book with a third party travel site I’ve not heard of. Have any of you forum readers booked flights with Ovago and how was your experience?
Posted by
Washington DC
28055 posts
I haven't used Ovago, but I suggest Googling reviews Ovago.
Lots of people have been burned after using other third-party airline-ticket websites. What sometimes happens is the operating airline cancels a flight or changes a schedule so that the routing no longer works, and the third-party company becomes very difficult if not impossible to work with. If you buy a ticket from Ovago, you won't be able to deal directly with the airline if something goes wrong; you will be at Ovago's mercy. Read the fine print to be sure you'll get all your money back if your flight is cancelled. If you are happy with what you read, you still need to decide how sure you are you can trust Ovago to follow its conditions of sale.
Also, be certain you are comparing equivalent tickets, not a Basic Economy ticket from Ovago and a regular Economy ticket from the airline.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5597 posts
Stay away from third party sites , and always book directly with the airlines. The risks are real if your flight is canceled or delayed. What good is getting your money back if you must book a new flight at the last minute that is super expensive? Good luck.
Posted by
Houston, Texas
975 posts
Book with the airlines. Any problems with your flight etc will be handled by the airline not a third party site.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11872 posts
https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/simi-valley/profile/travel-services/ovago-1236-92086337/customer-reviews
These folks not happy. Complaints typical of the downside of using an intermediary to book flights.
Does the airline offer the same itinerary? If not, consider that a sign.
Posted by
2782 posts
Last international flight I booked on a third party website was through orbitz. I was unable to get a boarding pass all the way through (orbitz had combined flights with different carriers) and as a consequence missed my flight to Heathrow. I was able to get on a later flight that night and still made my connecting flight to Amsterdam. Last time I bought a flight through a third party website.
I wouldn’t do it.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6523 posts
We had a situation very similar to BethFl's, also with Orbitz. It was our first and last time to book through a third party vendor.
Please, use various websites to research flight options, but book with the airline directly.
Posted by
Freedonia
16269 posts
Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, there is a reason.
Posted by
SoCal
1130 posts
I've used consolidators in the past a couple of times, and saved maybe a couple hundred dollars on a $3000 business class fare. Not really worth the added stress for me.
Posted by
San Francisco
14972 posts
I only book my flights directly with the airline, never went through a third party, basically not interested in that. I don't check prior with regarding reviews.
If I can be a bit flexible with the dates, different dates are plugged in hopes of finding a cheaper price. Two factors are still vital: a non-stop flight r/t, and an overnight flight going over.